Method of polishing ring jewels



June 3 1924.

A. .GABUS METHOD 0F POLISHING RING JEWELS Filed March 1'7,v 1920 6Sheets-Sheet l MUN@ w L June 3, 1924. 1,496,215

A. GABUS METHoDoF omsHING RING JEWELS Filed March 17. vw20 esheets-sheet s `Fume: 3 1924.

A. GABUs MET-IOD OF .POLISHING RING JEWELS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March17. 192,0

Patented .lune 3, 1924.

ADRIAN GABUS, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF POLISHING RING JEWELS.

' Application filed March 1'7, 1920. Serial No. 366,542.

To all whom 2725711647/ concern.'

Be it known that I, ADRIAN GABUS, acitizen of the Republic ofSwitzerland, and a resident of Springfield, in the county of Sangamonand StateV of Illinois, have invented a new and Improved Method ofPolishing Ring Jewels, of which the following is a specification,reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to the polishing of ring jewels and it has forits object to provide an improved method of accomplishing that end. Myimproved method consists in threading the jewel or jewels upon a Hexiblecord or wire carrying abrasive material and then revolving the cord orwire about an axis substantially coincident with that of the jewel,whereby the abrasive material carried by the cord is swept around thebore of the jewel. While it is preferable to accomplish the polishing byrevolving the cord with the jewel meanwhile held so that it does notrevolve, my invention, broadly considered, includes effecting therevolution of the cord b y movement of the jewel, or in any othersuitable way and the generic claims hereinafter made should besoconstrued. As a further development, my improved method comprisesrelative longitudinal movement of the cord and j ewel-preferably bymovement of the jewel longitudinally of the cord whereby the abrasive isrubbed againstthe jewel in a lateral as well as in a circumferentialdirection, and the abrasive on different r portions of the cord isutilized. My improved apparatus by which the said method may bepracticed is illustrated in the drawings and is hereinafter described.`What I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a front. view of my improved jewel polishing machine;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 as seen fromthe rear;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section through my improved machine asseen from the front; Y,

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on line 4-4of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on line 5 5of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken substantially on line G-Gof Fig.k 1;

Fior 7 is a vertical section taken on line ifa-7 of Fig, 4;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 1;

; Fig. 9 is a top view. of my improved machine;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of one of the heads by which the flexiblepolishing member is rotated and given a whirling moverment Fig. 13 is across-section through a ring jewel prior to the polishing operation; and

Fig. 14 is a cross-section throughv ai polished ring jewel.

Referring to the several figures of the drawings-20 indicates a bench ofany appropriate type upon which thecast frame 21 of my machine issecured in any suitable manner. Extending longitudinally of the frame 21is a bar 22 which for the greater part of its length is squared incross-section. As is clearly shown in Fig. 3, one end of the bar 22 hasslidably mounted upon it a bracket 23. A nut 24 mounted by means ofscrew threads upon the end portion of the bar 22 is available foradjusting the bracket 23 for regulating the tension of the flexiblepolishing member as hereinafter described, and giving the hole in thejewel-the desired shape from approximately a cylindrical holev to one ofvery pronounced olive shape. A rod 25 fixed in the lower end of thebracket 23 passes through a suitable socket in the frame 21 for holdingthe bracket 23 against rotary movement upon the bar22, while at the sametime permitting movement of the bracket longitudinally of the bar. Theinner endof the rod 25 bears against one end of a coiled spring-26, theother end of which rests against av block 27 which in turn is in contactwith a suitable portion of the frame 21. The spring 26 holds the bracket23 yieldingly at the limit of its motion to the left in Fig. 3 againstthe nut 24 in whatever adjusted position said nut may be placed. A tube28 encloses-the spring 26, as is shown in Fig. 3.V

A bracket 29 formed integrally with the frame 21 `stands directlyopposite the bracket 28 above the bar 22. As is best shown in Fig. 7, ashort shaft 30` is revolubly mounted in the upper end of-each of thebrackets 23 and v29, each of said.. shafts havards rising trom the-bench20.

ing lixedly mounted thereon a sheave 31. Each ot the shafts is providedat its inner end with a suitable socket adapted to receive a taperedspindle 32 so as to cause the spindle to rotate with the shaft as it isdriven by the she-ave 31. Each ot the spindles 32 carries at its end ahead 33 which in tue construction shown comprises two disks or platesspaced a short distance apart.

The'sheaves 31 are adapted to be driven in unison by a belt 34 (see Fig.2) which passes about the sheaves 31 and about a plurality othorizontally-disposed sheaves which are revolubly mounted upon stand- KSuitable springs 37 are provided upon the standards '36 'for permittingvertical movement ot the sheaves as may be required for proper driving.The sheaves 35'at the end ol the machine opposite the bracket 23 arelocated at some little distance trom the sheave 31, whereby the belt 34is adapted towork prop- Aerly upon the sheave 31 in any of its adjustedpositions within the limited adjustment of the bracket 23. asillustrated in Fig. 3 and as above described. Vertically-disposedsheaves 38 are provided for directing the belt 34 upwardly. as is shownin Fig. 2.

rto any suitable source of power. the sheaves 38 being mounted uponstandards 39 rising `from the bench 20. f

For holding the jewel tor the polishing operation in the desiredposition between the heads 33, I Ihave provided a head slidablyn'iounted upon the square bar 22. as is best shown in Fig. 6. As shownin that ligure, the head 40 is made of two parts so asto be readilyapplied in position upon the bar. At the upper end, the head 40 isprovided with fixed jaw 41 and a pivotally mounted jaw 42 which isnormally held in closed position with respect to the jaw 41 by means ota spring 43. As will be readily understood. by suitable pressure uponthe lower end portion ot the jaw 42 this jaw can be swung against theaction of the spring 43 away from the jaw 41 so as to permit theinsertion ot a jewel between the jaws. lNhen the jaw 42 released. thespring 43 applies the requisite pressure tor insuring that the jewelshall be held in the'desired position. Shields 44 extend from oppositesides ot the head 40 en'ibracing the bar 22 ltor protecting the bar tromthe action of any polishing powder rwhich might be released Vfrom theflexible polishing member by its trictional Contact with the jewel.

For reciprocating` the head 4() and the jewelicarried thereby betweenthey rotating heads 33. I have provided a cam. operative connect-ionsbetween the cam'and the head 40, and suitable means. independent of themeans by which the belt 34' is driven. for driving the` cam.Thisfmechanism comprises a sheave 45 rotatably mounted upon the trame 21by means of' a short shaft 46 (see Fig. 11). A heart cam 47 is fixedupon the sheave 45 so as to rotate therewith within a housing 48provided by the framework 21. A wiper roller 49 is jonrnalled in one endof the link 50 adjacent to the cam 47, the other end of the link 5t)being pivotally connected to a lever 51 (see Figs. 3 and 5) which ispivotally mounted upon the 'trame 21 by means of a rock shatt 52, as isbest shown in said Fig. 5, the lever 51 being held against rotation withrespect to the shaft 52. The upper end ot the lever 51 is pivotallyconnected with the head 40 by means ot a link 53. As will be understoodby an inspection of Fig. 3, when the sheave 45 and the cam 47 arerotated the link 50 will be moved toward the letty in Fig. 3 by reasonot the engagement of the wiper roller 49 with the cam. This movement ofthe link 50 serves to swing the lever 51 toward the lett about the rockshaft 52, causing the head 40 to be moved also toward the lett along thebar 22. lVhen the high part ofthe cam 47 has passed the wiper roller49so as tov permit the link 50 and the lever 51 to move toward the rightin said Fig. 3, such movement is ellected by means of a counterweight 54which is connected to the lever 51 by means ot a flexible member 55 otany suit- 'if able type which passes over a suitable idler 56 as shownin Fig. 2. The link 50 is supported between its end portions by means ofavplate 57.bridging between suitable lugs formed on the frame 21, as isbest shown in Fig. 2. By the use of a heart cam tor actuating the lever51. the head 40 and the jewel carried thereby are given a substantiallyuniform movement first in the one direction and then in the other andthis uniform movement is much desired in preference to the constantlychanging rate of movement such as characterizes a` crank motion.

The means tor driving` the sheave 45 comprises an endless belt 58connecting the sheave 45 with a sheave 59revolubl'v mounted upon a shaitG0 which is journalled in suitable bearings below the bench 20. Theshatt (i0 is driven by means ot a sheave G1 connected by means ot a beltG2 with the driving pulley 63 ot an electric motor 64 mounted upon abase G5 supported trom the bench 20. Connection between the sheaves 59and (il is eftected as desired by means ot a clutch member 66 Yfeatheredupon the shaft (i0 adjacent' to the sheave 59 which is provided withsuitable lugs or teeth adapted to cooperate with the clutch member 66tor causingT the clutch member and the sheave to rotate together. Theclutch member G3 is normally held in engagement `with the sheave 59 bymeans of a` spring 67 see Fig. 10). The clutch member disadapted to bemoved out ot engagement with the sheave 59 by means of a bell-cranklever 68 one aim of whichis in the form of a yoke (see Fig. 1) engaginga suitable groove 69 in the clutch member 66. .The other arm of thebell-crank is also forked, as shown Vin Fig. 10, for embracing the lowerend of a lever 70. The upper end of the lever is disposed opposite theouter end of a slide rod 71 extending horizontally through the frame 21,as is best shown in Fig. 8. As will be appreciated, upon a movement ofthe rod 7l toward the right in Fig. 1, the lever 70 is moved inclockwise direction in said figure, serving to turn the bell-crank lever68 in counter-clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 10, moving the clutchmember 66. out

kof engagement with the sheave 59 for stopping the rotation of theshea-ve 59, the sheave 45, and the cam 47.

In the use of my improved apparatus, a

jewel 72 as shown'on an-enlarged scale in` tity of polishing material,such as diamond dust, for example. The end portions of the flexiblepolishing member 73 are then secured tothe rotary heads 33 with somelittle slack in the flexible member. If desired, a number of jewels 72may be threaded upon .the flexible member 73 for expediting theoperation of the machine. In that case the surplus jewels which havenotbeen polished are held between the plates of thehead 33 at one end ofthe machine during the polishing of the jewel being operated upon. Whenthe polishing of one jewel has been completed, that jewel is shiftedinto position between the plates of the head 33 at the opposite endofthe machine and one of the jewels heldin reserve is then operated upon.For effecting this result,'the bearings of the flexible member 73 in theheads 33 are in the form of slots 74 open at their outer ends, as isshown in Fig. 12.

lVith one or more jewels 72 threaded upon the polishing member 73, andwith the ends of the polishing membersecured to the. heads 33eccentrically thereof with respect to the axis of rotation ofv saidheads, the belt 34 is thrown into operation forrotatingthe heads 33 inthe same direction and at the same speed. The-rotary movement ofthe endAportions of the flexible polishing meinber causes the cord to bowoutwardly byr centrifugal force and to swing about the axis of the heads33, the portions. of the flexible member at opposite sides of the jewelmounted in the head 40 being adapted to whirl separately. By reason ofthe whirling motion ofthe flexible member with respect to the jewel,`the flexible member is placed under tension and is caused to sweepeccentrieally about the axis of the jewel and to press against the innerface of the bore thereof at a constantly 'changing pointcircuinferentially of the iing. The heads 33 are designed to be drivenat a very high rate of speed whereby the llexiblemember is given a veryrapid whirling and rotary movement aboutthe axis of the ring jewel. Atthe same time, the means for reciprocating the jewel longitudinally ofthe flexible member-7 3 will have been in operation, in-

creasing very materially the fiictional effect of the polishing memberupon the inner face of the jewel. rlhe movement of the head 40 with thejewel 72 is comparatively slow, being designed merely to keep the jeweland the flexible polishing member in motion with respect to each otherlongitudinally of the flexible member. After the completion of apolishing operationY of this type, the jewel will be found to haveassumed the shape illustrated in Fig. 14, in vwhich the bore is verysmooth and regular. i e

Means is provided for automatically stopping tlie relative movement ofthe jewel and thel exible polishing member 73 longitudinally of theflexible member at the end of a predetermined desired number of suchlongitudinal movements, means being also provided for varying the numberof such longitudinal movements before the automatic stoppage of themovement. This automatically-acting means comprises a member slidablymounted upon the slide-rod 71 and adapted to be moved step by step intocontact with a cooperating member adjustably mounted on the rod formoving the rod to- `ward the rightl in Fig. 1 for throwing the Y bar 77(see Fig. 3). Asis best shown in Fig. 5,

the rock sha-ft 52, upon which the lever 51 is Vfixedly mounted andabout the axis of which the lever swings, is provided with 'a head 7 Sto which a pawl 79 is pivotally connected in j eccentric position withrespectl to the axis of the shaft. As is shown in Fig. 3, the pawl 79 isyieldingly Asupported by means of a spring 8() so as to engage one ofthe teeth of the rack bar 77. As will be readily understood, when thelever 51 is swung back and forth and rocks the shaft 52. the pawl 79will be ieciproeated longitudinally by reason of its eccentricconnection with the head 78. VThe arrangement is such that upon eachmovement of the lever 51 and of the pawl 79 toward'the right in Fig. 3the rack bar` 77 will be moved toward the right. A pawl 81 lixedlymounted upon rock shaft 82 is also yieldingly held by a spring 83 inengagement withthe rack bar 77. for preventing a movement of the rackbar 77 toward the left when the pawl 7 9 is retracted. The

rack bar is thus given a step by step movement toward the right atsuccessive strokes of the lever 51, serving eventually to move the rod71 also toward the right as hereinafter described.

When it is desired to move the rack bar 77 again toward the left, thisresult is effected lthrough the medium of a pin 84E carried by the rackbar and extending through a slot 85. The rock shaft 82 is provided withhandle 86 upon one end, by a movement of which in counterclockwisedirection in Fig. 1 the pawl 81 carried by the rock shaft is moveddownward out of engagement with the rack bar 77 The end of the pawl 81is in the form of a fork which embraces the pawl 79 above a lug 87projecting from its end, as is seen by an inspection of Fig. 8, wherebythe pawl 79 is also carried downward ,out of engagement with the rackbar 77, which is then free to be moved toward the left.

In the construction shown, the adjustable stop device, by contactv withwhich the rack bar 77 is adapted to move the slide rod 71 toward theright for throwing the driving clutch out of operation at the desiredmoment, is in the form of a collar 88 secured by means of screw threadsupon the slide rod. A lug 89 extending from one side of the collar 88engages a slot 90 in the framework so as to permit the collar to movelongitudinally of the rod 71 but to hold the collar from rotation withrespect thereto. The position of the collar 88 upon the rod 71, isadjusted by rota-ting the rod 71 through the medium of a thumb piece 91upon the outer end of the rod. By the adjust-ment of the stop device 88longitudinally of the rod 71, the number of actuations of the rack bar77 in its step by step movement through the medium of the pawl 79 beforethe sleeve 76 is brought into contact with the collar 88 can be variedwithin a wide range.

The movement of the slide rod 71 to the right for throwing the drivingclutch out of operation is effected against the action of a coiledspring. To this end, the slide rod 71 has fixedly mounted thereon asleeve or collar 92. A pin 93 slidably mounted in a suitable opening inthe frame 21 adjacent to the Slide rod 71 is provided with a yoke 94:fixedly mounted thereon and held in contact with the collar 92 throughthe medium of a coiled spring 95 connected at one end to the pin 93 andat its opposite end to the fra-me 21 at the opposite end of the machine.After the sleeve 76 is brought into Contact with the collar 88 in thestep by step movement of the sleeve 76 and the rack bar 77, the' furthermovement of the sleeve 7 6 toward ,the right in Fig. 8 carries' thecollar 88 and the rod 71 also toward the right in said figure against`the action of the spring 95, ybringing the l end of the rod intocontact with .the lever 70 tion with respect toY theV Aother and vgiving `(see Fig. 1) and eventually causing the clutch member 66 to moveout of engagement with the sheave 59, whereupon the rotation of the cam47 and the reciprocation of the head l0 along the bar 22 are stopped.

My improved machine is also adapted for use for polishing jewels by aslightly different method. I have found that by threading a number ofewels on a polishing cord, holding such jewels inspaced relation betweenthe heads 33, as by means of additional jaws upon the head 40, anddrawing the cord tight between the rotary heads, a number of jewels canbe polished at the same time, this method giving a finished jewel with astraight hole such asis desired inv some instances. My broader claimsare of cours@ to be construed to cover this procedure as well as thatfirst described.

So far as I am aware, I am the first in the art to provide for polishinga ring jewel by the use of a flexible polishing member upon which thejewel is threaded, and sweeping the polishing member around the bore ofthe jewel by a relative revolving movement of the jewel and polishingmember with respect to each other; also to accompany such revolvingmovement with a relative longitudinal movement. I also believe myself tobe the first to provide an apparatus operating in the manner described.The generic claims hereinafter made are therefore to be construedaccordingly. Furthermore, while my improved method is primarily intendedfor polishing ring jewels it may also be used for polishing otherarticles in which similar conditions obtain, and theV claims are,therefore, to be construed accordingly.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading` thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then giving one of thestated parts relative revoluble movement with respect to the other forproviding the desired frictional. engagement.

2. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member and then giving one of the statedparts relative rotary and revoluble movement with respect to the other.

3. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible Apolishing member and then giving one of the`stated parts relative revoluble and longitudinal movement with respectto the other. Y Y

4l. Thepmethod 'ofpolishing a ring jewel `which*comprisesthreading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member', and then giving one of thestated parts relative rotary mothe flexible member a whirling movementwith respect to thek jewel.

5. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member supported in a slack conditionand then rotating the exible member in the bore of the jewel.

G. The method of polishing a ring. jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing` member, and then giving one of thestated parts relative rotary and revoluble motion with respect to theother and a relative movement longitudinally7 of the flexible member.

7. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading the'jewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then giving the flexiblemember a whirling movement with respect to the jewel and giving one ofthe stated parts a relative movement with respect to the otherlongitudinally of the flexible member.

8. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then giving one of thestated parts a relative rotary motion and a relative movementlongitudinally of the flexible member, and giving the flexible member awhirling movement with respect to the jewel.

9. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then relatively moving oneof the stated parts with respect to the other part for causing theflexible member `to sweep about the bore of the jewel eccentrically withreference to the axis thereof.

10. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then moving one of thestated parts with respect to the other for causing the flexible memberto move progressively about the inner face of the jewel eccentricallywith reference to the axis thereof, and at a constantly changing anglewith respect thereto.

11. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then giving said flexiblemember a progressive movement about the inner face of the ring jewel ata constantly changing angle with respect thereto, and giving one of thestated parts at the same time a rotary movement with respect to theother.

12. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then giving said flexiblemember a progressive movement about the inner face of the ring jewel ata constantly changing angle with respect thereto, and giving one of thestated parts at the same time a relative movement longitudinally of theflexible member.

13. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then giving said flexiblemember a progressive movement about the inner face of the ring jewel ata constantly changing angle with respect thereto, and giving one of thestated parts at the same time a relative rotary motion and a relativemovement longitudinally of the flexible member.

14. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then whirling the flexiblemember by centrifugal force about the jewel.

15. The method of polishing a ring jewe which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then whirling the flexiblemember by centrifugal force about the jewel and at the same timerotating the flexible member with respect to the jewel.

16. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then whirling the flexiblemember by centrifugal force about the jewel and at the same time movingthe jewel longitudinally of the flexible member.

17. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then whirling the flexiblemember by centrifugal force about the jewel and at the same timerotating the flexible member and moving the jewel longitudinallythereof.

18. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then revolving the endportions of the flexible member about the axis of the ring jewel androtating the flexible member for causing it to whirl by centrifugalforce about the jewel.

19. The method of polishing a ring jewel which comprises threading thejewel upon a flexible polishing member, and then revolving the endportions of the flexible member about the axis of the ringfjewel androtating the flexible member for causing it to whirl by centrifugalforce about the jewel, and at the same time moving said jewellongitudinally of the flexible member.

ADRIAN GABUS.

